Mandy and Brian almost missed each other – Mandy was about to delete the match.com app from her phone just when Brian sent her his first message. Thankfully she responded! Now, almost a year later, the two are engaged and planning their wedding. Find out how he popped the question and how Joy is helping them save money on their wedding.
Give us the details! When? Where? How?
We had discussed marriage very early – we just knew we wanted to marry one another almost as soon as we met. I would tell anyone else they were crazy…. but we just knew. But I told him he couldn’t properly propose until he got permission from my parents. So at Christmas, he came to visit my family outside of St. Louis and got permission from my folks.
I knew he had permission. I knew he had the ring. I just didn’t know when he would propose. Then, one day we had a “date day” for just the two of us in St. Louis. We started with a great breakfast and spent the morning walking through the St. Louis Zoo, laughing and kissing. Then we went to the Arch. Brian had never seen it so I was caught up in getting pictures of him from different angles. At one point I was standing way away from him taking pictures and he waved me back over. As I walked back I saw the rose ring box in his hand…..and he simply said, “Will you marry me?”
It was simple. It was perfect. And OF COURSE I said YES!!!!
This photo was taken Christmas Day during the trip where Brian proposed.
What has been your favorite experience planning the wedding?
We are really doing it together — and doing it our way! He gives me final say, but this wedding isn’t like every other one you read about. We are having a hot dog bar for crying out loud!
How do you stay sane under the pressures of wedding planning?
It’s easy — we are keeping it simple. If it is too difficult, too stressful, or not worth it — then we don’t do it. Plus, having Brian there every step of the way makes it so much easier. I’m not doing any of this alone. It is 100% together (except my dress — he had no say in that).
Hulk and my Hunk. Downtown Disney is one of the places we like to go to walk around and just enjoy being out.
How did you hear about Joy?
I was searching for a free wedding site that I could customize that would work on phones. I stumbled across Joy on a web search, and WOW…. I’m glad I did.
One of our favorite pictures together. This was an amazing day at Venice Beach. We were walking along the water taking pictures together and this rogue wave caught us off guard. We were soaked from the waist down (we were only standing in water up to our ankles!).
What is your favorite part of using Joy for your wedding?
I’m still finding all kinds of things I can do with Joy! But I love that I can customize so much of it. One thing in particular — Joy has helped save us money — We decided not to print agendas — we will use Joy.
What piece of advice would you give couples to ensure that they use Joy to its fullest potential? I’m still finding little ways to customize Joy and things I can do.
At Joy we believe that even though a wedding lasts a day, joy lasts forever. What does that mean to you? It follows our philosophy about our wedding. It is a day to celebrate the life we are going to have. We won’t stress about ONE DAY. What is important is the LIFE that will follow….the LOVE that exists and will grow…..the bond that is made and will continue to strengthen. One day is wonderful, but it isn’t what it is all about.
One of our favorite pictures together. This was an amazing day at Venice Beach. We were walking along the water taking pictures together and this rogue wave caught us off guard. We were soaked from the waist down (we were only standing in water up to our ankles!).
